Instant Messaging, Chatting, Texting and Cell Phones
The Internet is an ever-changing source of information. Inevitably, some of the links below will stop working. We will do our best to keep links current and remove broken links.
We do not recommend that children below grade 6 have an instant messaging account.
| Source | Link Info |
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| Advice | Worried about your child chatting with strangers? Block Omegle.com, a website designed for talking to strangers. |
| Resource | ChatDanger.com - A website devoted to keeping safe while chatting online |
| Resource | Teen Safety on the Information Highway - includes risks by area including chatrooms |
| Resource | From ConnectSafely.org
Tips to Prevent Sexting [March, 2009]
Chat Room Safety Tips [August, 2007]
Cell Phone Safety Tips [June, 2008]
Is Sexting a Teen Trend: Study [December, 2008]
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| Resource | From CyberTipLine.com
Chatroom Dangers - "a chatroom is probably the most dangerous place on the Internet".
Know the Dangers of Instant Messaging
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| Resource | From CommonSenseMedia.org
Instant Messaging Tips [2009]
Cell Phone Tips [2009]
Instant Messaging tips [2008]
How safe are video chats like TokBox? [2009]
Do you know who your kid is IMing? [June, 2004]
Responsible Text Messaging Tips [2009]
Do you know who your kid is IMing? [June, 2004]
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| Resource | Understanding IM, Chat and Texting Slang. WARNING: These sites are likely to contain offensive language.
InternetSlang.com
Chat Abbreviations from Abbreviations.com
Internet Slang Dictionary and Translator
Comprehensive IM Shorthand List
Teen Chat Decoder
JaBabel.com |
| Resource | AOL and Instant Messaging (AIM):
AIM Parental Controls
Block Instant Messages with AIM Express
AOL Parental Controls |
| Software | Tools to monitor your child's IM
McGruff SafeGuard.com (PC Only, Not Apple Mac)
WebWatcher Computer Monitoring Software (PC Only, Not Apple Mac)
PC Activity Monitor (PC Only, Not Apple Mac)
Key Logger and IM Monitor (PC Only, Not Apple Mac)
Spector Pro Monitoring Software: for Mac | for Windows
SafeEyes Parental Control Software monitors IM (Apple Mac)
Keylogger for Mac (Apple Mac)
USB Keylogger by KeyCobra (both platforms supported)
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| Tutorial | Butterscotch Tutorial on How to Monitor Your Child's IM |
| Article | Understanding the benfits and risks of texting [November, 2008] |
| Article | Why I won't buy my 10-year old a cell phone - from the Children's Medical Center at Dayton. |
| Article | Risks and vulnerabilities of IM applications - from SANS Institute of Information Security. [July, 2009] |